Two years really was far too short.
In the blink of an eye, it was already the second spring.
After another year of traveling around, the three martial siblings had finally accepted that their shizun had most likely gone to an unreachable place. Afterwards, Qin Siyi and Shan Yu returned to Shuangye Peak. At this point, most people would have given up, but these three people still quietly persisted. Whenever the weather was too nice or whenever it was too gloomy, Qin Siyi and Shan Yu would depart again to travel the continent in hopes of finding Gui Qinle this time.
Each time, they would return empty handed.
However, with their renewed company, Gui Linghuo seemed much better. He still couldn’t cultivate, but his heart demons weren’t so loud. He could eat more and his sleep was more consistent. He didn’t space out as often and he would use this extra time to talk to Yankui.
The New Year had just passed again, marking the second year Yankui had spent there.
Recently, Yankui had a lot on his mind.
It had been a long time since he had gotten new suppressants, but the parasites in his body had yet to act up either. For a brief spell, Yankui hoped that that man had forgotten about him. It was outrageous and a silly hope, but Yankui wanted to delude himself for just a little while longer. The peace was comforting, but for someone like Yankui, it was a sweet honey trap. He knew he would have to leave one day and that he would probably have to leave in a horrible manner, but he still couldn’t give it up.
There were days when Yankui thought he should be crueler to Gui Linghuo. That way, when he really left, Gui Linghuo wouldn’t be so sad. But he’d wake up and see the other man’s face and whatever resolve he had built up the following night would disappear.
Gui Linghuo, of course, picked up on Yankui’s absentmindedness.
He sat silently beside his partner and carefully cut the apples until they were shaped like rabbits. He placed the plate in front of Yankui and glanced at him.
A moment later, he spoke: “Recently, I’ve been thinking about getting new clothes.”
“Oh, okay,” Yankui mumbled.
Gui Linghuo glanced at him again and slowly smiled. “I was thinking of something similar to ceremonial robes.”
“Sounds nice.”
“Mn. Something red with gold embroidery.”
“Oh…”
“I’ll get you a matching set too.”
“Okay.”
“Then, you agree?”
“Mn, I agree.”
“That’s good,” Gui Linghuo said, his teasing smile only growing. “Then, what day do you want to do it?”
“Any day is fine.”
“We can’t be so casual about a special day like that,” Gui Linghuo said. “We have to consult my shishu and shigu to see if we can find a good day.”
“A good…” Yankui’s voice trailed off. He slowly turned to Gui Linghuo. “What?”
“A good day.”
“A good day for what?” Yankui asked.
“To get married.”
Yankui shot up, sending Gui Linghuo into bright laughter. His face reddened as he playfully kicked Gui Linghuo’s leg. “Married?! Who agreed to get married to you?!”
“Just now! You said you agreed.”
“I agreed to…to…” Yankui didn’t actually remember what he agreed to, but it certainly had nothing to do with marriage. He glared at Gui Linghuo and huffed. “You’re teasing me!”
Gui Linghuo chuckled. He wrapped his arms around Yankui’s waist and tugged him closer. “Well, I would have gone through with it if you hadn’t rejected me.”
“You’re crazy,” Yankui whined. He turned his head to avoid Gui Linghuo’s doting gaze. The feeling of guilt tightened around his heart.
Gui Linghuo observed Yankui for a moment. He reached up and gently brushed a thumb over his cheek. When Yankui looked back, his heart shook. For a moment, he had the feeling that Gui Linghuo knew exactly what was on his mind. The soft, troubled eyes looked into his soul, silently pleading for Yankui to open up and tell him just what was on his mind.
“Shan Yu and Siyi are coming back tomorrow,” Gui Linghuo said. He smiled softly. “Do you want to eat out?”
“I have no opinions,” Yankui said with a shrug. “It’s up to you.”
“So generous,” Gui Linghuo chuckled.
“You’re the one who’s cooking.”
“Oh? You don’t want to show off your new cooking skills?”
“I would hardly call them cooking skills,” Yankui said with a roll of his eyes. “I wouldn’t want to poison them on their first day back in so long.”
Gui Linghuo chuckled. “Alright, then we’ll just go out to eat.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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When he opened his eyes, night had already fallen. He yawned drowsily and slowly sat up. The dreariness had yet to leave him. It clouded his mind, making him unable to distinguish between sunrise and sunset. His gaze flickered out to the paper window and suddenly froze.
His blood ran cold.
He stood and burst out of the doors. He ran for Gui Linghuo’s room and threw the doors open. When there was no one there, he ran to the study. Luckily, a candle was light, signifying his presence. Without knocking, Yankui threw the doors open and stumbled in.
Gui Linghuo looked up in surprise. He stood and walked over to meet Yankui halfway. He smiled a little helplessly as he brushed aside Yankui’s hair. “What’s wrong? Did you have another bad dream?”
“N-no, no,” Yankui shakily said. He gripped Gui Linghuo’s arms tightly. “It wasn’t a dream.”
Gui Linghuo stared at him in confusion. “What are you—?”
“Hurry and go find your shishu and shigu!” Yankui hissed. He glanced outside, as if he could see figures moving in the shadows. “He’s coming.”
“Who is?”
“Just go,” Yankui quickly said. He half dragged, half carried Gui Linghuo out of his study. “I can hold them off. At this time of night, people shouldn’t be asleep yet. If you hurry then—”
Gui Linghuo froze. He immediately grabbed Yankui’s wrist and tugged him behind him. Yankui looked up at him in surprise and slowly looked past his shoulder at the man, who had just appeared in a swirl of black mist
Gui Linghuo pulled his sword from its sheath and pointed it at the invader.
“Who is so bold as to trespass into Shuangye Peak?” Gui Linghuo asked. His eyes narrowed as he slowly looked the man up and down. “State your name and business.”
The man was dressed in vibrant red robes with chilling black embroidery. One hand was folded neatly behind his back while the other rested by his side. Only the tips of his skeleton white fingers were seen. A cracked white mask covered half his face, only revealing the lower half of his face. The cloak of his hood was drawn up, making it seem like he was truly wrapped in shadows. His eyes, which were hidden in the darkness, could just barely be seen in the faint light of the study behind them.
The man’s lips slowly rose, but a faint eeriness followed his actions. He shifted and clasped his hands together in what would normally be a cordial greeting. However, coming from this man, both Gui Linghuo and Yankui felt the urge to run screaming in their bones.
“This Lord has long abandoned my previous name the moment I stepped onto the ghost path,” the man said. “My subordinates refer to me as Your Excellency. Others call me the Void Saint.”
Gui Linguo’s eyes widened. His grip on Yankui tightened as his eyes grew colder.
Few things were known about those in Yinfeng Valley. What was known though was that they had two treasures and six saints, who each ran their own sect and school of teaching. Through the years, the saints all died or disappeared into obscurity as the righteous cultivators pushed them further and further out to the borderlands. The Void Saint was one such character that had disappeared during the era of shifting powers.
Yankui’s gaze flickered from the Void Saint to Gui Linghuo. His eyes moved desperately to the entrance of the peak as he tried to remember if there was any way of summoning Ye Liuxing and Jiu Jingyi from here. However, with their cultivation level, it might be difficult for them to win if it ended up in a full out battle. They would definitely get hurt, but they would manage to drive the Void Saint out. It was a much better outcome than Gui Linghuo dying.
“My son, why are you still hiding behind this boy? Come here.”
The skeleton white hand extended and languidly beckoned Yankui over. Gui Linghuo slowly looked at Yankui, who was cowering against his back.
The Void Saint’s expression dimmed. “Come here.”
His voice no longer carried an airy quality and, instead, sounded like a block of concrete, hitting the ocean floor.
Gui Linghuo stepped in front of Yankui completely.
The Void Saint mimicked the sound of laughter, though there was clearly no mirth in his voice nor in those dark eyes. “I see. So, you’ve chosen?”
The plastic smile disappeared from his face. “Then, that’s too bad.”
The first attack was blocked by Gui Linghuo. His brows furrowed and he could barely keep flying back. He quickly grabbed Yankui.
“Go find Ye-shishu and Jiu-shigu,” Gui Linghuo said.
“But he—”
“Hurry!” Gui Linghuo shouted.
The restrictions on Shuangye Peak had been lifted, but the rest of the sect was still heavily protected. With Yankui’s powers, he couldn’t break through the barriers, which would have been the easiest way to alert the peak lords. He ran down the steps and was only half way down when he heard a bloodcurdling scream. Yankui stopped.
He looked back at Shuangye Peak, where the maple leaves still fell like a drizzle of rain. His fists clenched at his side.
Jiu Jingyi and Ye Liuxing would not be able to beat him. Even if they drove him back, Gui Linghuo would still fall into his hands. So, the only way was to…
At the top, the Void Saint had gripped Gui Linghuo by the neck. His eyes were cold as his fist tightened. The shadows that extended up to Gui Linghuo’s neck constricted in response. He choked and grasped at what couldn’t be touched. His face was already turning red as his airway was obstructed.
His grip on the sword tightened and his eyes slowly reddened.
The Void Saint raised a brow and watched with interest as the spiritual energy around him disappeared and was replaced by a dense stench of resentment.
The shadow was blasted into smithereens. Gui Linghuo lunged forward, his sword coated in a black mist. He lifted his sword and slashed downward.
Each strike was easily blocked by the Void Saint, but the pressure being placed on the man had grown exponentially. The Void Saint’s eyes flashed with interest as black markings began to form on Gui Linghuo’s neck and eventually snaked onto his cheeks and forehead. His hands showed the same result.
The Void Saint pushed back and Gui Linghuo was sent flying into a column. He coughed up a mouthful of black blood, but still slowly stood. He used his sword as a crutch and looked up at the sword saint as his chest heaved.
“Interesting,” the Void Saint chuckled. “You’re clearly a righteous cultivator through and through, yet you seem to also have a talent for the devil path. You and he…are really a match made in Heaven.”
Gui Linghuo could barely decipher the words the Void Saint was saying. To him, it was all garbled nonsense. His breathing grew heavier as the voices in his head grew louder. He had to protect Shuangye Peak. He had to protect Yankui. He had to kill this man in front of him.
He had to kill him.
The bloodthirsty thought swept through his brain until it was the only thing he thought of. Gui Linghuo lunged forward, again and again, completely unaware that the resentful energy surrounding him had reached a new peak.
The Void Saint’s eyes flashed in surprise. In his moment of distraction, his arm was cut cleanly off. It slid to the side and smacked into the tree before disappearing into bone-white powder. His eyes narrowed. He had to actually pay attention now.
Each strike sent up a flash of black and red. The corrupted energy became stronger and stronger, but the whites of Gui Linghuo’s eyes had already turned black. The Void Saint pursed his lips as he was driven back into a corner. Although he was being pressured, there was a manic excitement in his eyes that hadn’t been there previously.
“Yes, you’re perfect,” the Void Saint said as he cut downwards. “You will become the perfect vessel for His Excellency!”
Gui Linghuo fell to the ground. The Void Saint drove a knee into his stomach and promptly disarmed him. He raised his remaining hand and summoned a mass of black energy, but before he could finish Gui Linghuo off, he was blasted back.
His clothes were caught by a green flame. His skin tingled with a cool sensation, but began to slowly melt. His head abruptly shot up as he watched Yankui pull Gui Linghuo to safety.
Yankui’s hand shook as he pressed it to Gui Linghuo’s chest. The corrupted energy slowly entered Yankui’s system. The tips of his fingers darkened, but his veins remained the same. A small barrier had been erected around them, reminiscent of ghost flames, flickering brightly in the dark area.
“Ghost Flames…” The Void Saint muttered. His smile became twisted as he wobbled towards them. “You lied to me.”
“Stand right there,” Yankui warned. He glanced up, his eyes darkening. “If you take one step closer, I’ll take you down with me.”
“What a threat,” The Void Saint laughed. “You think you can take me on?”
“I already notified the peak lords,” Yankui said. “You’ve been weakened to this state—if the three of us fight you, I guarantee you won’t make it out of Yunjing Pavilion tonight.”
“An empty threat,” the Void Saint said. His gaze flickered to Yankui’s hands and then to the Ghost Fire that flickered around them and continued to eat at his skin. “I could break your barrier and take him away right now. Do you believe it?”
The speed at which Yankui absorbed the resentful energy from Gui Linghuo quickened. He watched as the black veins slowly faded and as the whites of Gui Linghuo’s eyes slowly returned. He took a shaky breath and lifted his head to look at the man.
“I believe it. But you won’t.”
The Void Saint’s eyes narrowed. “Oh?”
“I’ve masterd the True Ghost Flame Technique and I’ve also mastered Shadow Manipulation. That makes me more useful than him as His Excellency’s vessel,” Yankui said. He glanced at Gui Linghuo one last time. Once he made sure the other’s situation was manageable, he slowly set him to the ground. He stood and willingly stepped out of the barrier. “You wouldn’t take him, because you’re waiting for me to strike a deal.”
The Void Saint smirked. “To think you actually would do so.”
His gaze flickered towards the man on the ground.
“Has your heart been moved?”
Yankui gritted his teeth and avoided the Void Saint’s lifeless gaze. “I’ll go with you willingly. But you have to promise to leave Gui Linghuo alone from now on. I won’t fight against you anymore. I promise.”
“Then, make a blood pact,” the Void Saint smiled. “The conditions are what you just stated. You will obey me and I will leave your precious lover alone. Whoever breaks the pact will be eaten alive by the centipede in their stomach.”
Yankui bit the skin from his finger and held it out. “Deal.”
The Void Saint chuckled.
The blood pact was done quickly, but still left little time for them to escape. The moment the pact was sealed, the Void Saint took Yankui by the arm and disappeared from Shuangye Peak.
Jiu Jingyi arrived to see wisps of shadows disappearing. She and Ye Liuxing looked at the damage done and felt a chill in their bones.
“Linghuo!” Ye Liuxing quickly ran over. He propped Gui Linghuo and checked his pulse. He was still alive, but his situation had deteriorated again to how it was several years ago. His brows furrowed tightly as he quickly pressed a few pills into his mouth.
Jiu Jingyi looked around. Her eyes caught the green flame that was still eating at the grass. Her heart was in her throat as she went into the still-lit study and looked around. She went around the entire peak, but there were no traces of the young man. Moments later, she came back out.
“Liuxing.”
“What?” Ye Liuxing sharply asked.
“Yankui…he’s gone.”
Ye Liuxing’s tense expression showed one of shock. He abruptly looked up. “What? He’s gone?!”
Jiu Jingyi nodded. The Ghost Flames had disappeared now. “You said he was a ghost cultivator?”
“He is, but he wouldn’t…”
“I don’t think he would either,” Jiu Jingyi said. She bit her nails as her gaze fell on Gui Linghuo. “He must have gone in exchange for Linghuo’s life…”
Ye Liuxing’s grip on Gui Linghuo tightened. He looked down at the young man in his arms and felt his heart pinch. “If we had come a bit earlier—”
“Judging by the lingering energy here, I don’t think we could have taken that person on ourselves,” Jiu Jingyi said.
“Then, what do we do now?” Ye Liuxing asked. “If Xiao Kui really fell into the ghost cultivators’ hands…wouldn’t they take him as a traitor?”
“We have to find,” Jiu Jingyi mumbled. She glanced at Gui Linghuo. “But we’ll have to wait for Linghuo to wake up.”
The night passed and the next day came.
When Gui Linghuo woke up, he found himself surrounded by several familiar faces. There was relief and happiness. He could hear words of concern, but his gaze still shifted behind them, as if he were looking for someone. When a few minutes passed and that person still didn’t show up, Gui Linghuo sat up.
“Da-shixiong!” Qin Siyi quickly pressed him back down. “You can’t get up yet. Your injuries are serious. You can’t—”
“Siyi,” Gui Linghuo’s cold hand fumbled to grab onto her. He looked up at her as the corner of his eyes slowly reddened. “…Where is he?”
Qin Siyi’s mouth moved wordlessly as her gaze drifted.
Gui Linghuo quickly turned to Shan Yu, who was standing off silently to the side as well. He forced a trembling smile. “Yuyu, tell Da-shixiong—where’s A-Kui?”
“He…” Shan Yu averted her gaze. “Well, he…”
A bleak coldness washed over him again, followed by that familiar sense of helplessness. His chest heaved as he tossed the covers aside and ran for the door.
Qin Siyi and Shan Yu immediately grabbed onto him and pulled him back.
“Let go of me!”
“Da-shixiong, you can’t! What are you going to do in this state?!”
“Shijie’s right!” Shan Yu said as she pushed him back with all her weight. “You’re injured! Your cultivation has taken a hit since you let the ghost qi run amuck! You should be thankful that you didn’t become a complete waste—you can’t do anything even if you were able to find him!”
“Let go!” Gui Linghuo shouted. He tried his best to pry his arms from the two young women. “Let me go! I can’t let it happen again. I can’t let someone die to protect me again!”
Qin Siyi gritted her teeth. “Then, what? Do you want to die while trying to save him!? You won’t even succeed!”
“But at least I would have tried,” Gui Linghuo said. He blinked away his tears. “If you two don’t let go of me, I’ll throw you off.”
“Da-shixiong, you have to calm down,” Shan Yu persuaded. “In this state, you’ll really die!”
“Then, I die!” Gui Linghuo cried.
His words were cut short when a sharp stinging crossed his cheek. Shan Yu’s eyes widened. Her grip slacked and she looked up at Qin Siyi.
The young woman was crying as well. She slowly clenched her reddened hand and watched as Gui Linghuo fell back against the edge of his bed.
“Don’t you dare say that,” Qin Siyi whispered. “What would Shizun think?”
Gui Linghuo slowly lowered his head to his knees. His shoulders shook as silently tears rolled down his cheeks.
A soft knock interrupted the three martial siblings.
The door creaked open and a familiar face walked in. “Thousand Year Frost Flower, freshly picked and steamed into soup—Lord Xun said that it will temporarily calm the ghost qi in your body.”
Shan Yu and Qin Siyi stared at the man in surprise. Even Gui Linghuo looked shocked.
“Su…Su Wen? Why are you here?”
Su Wen looked both sheepish and apologetic. “Master told me to watch you three…last night, I had just returned from making sure Miss Shan and Miss Qin’s journey was going well, when…I’m sorry, Young Master Gui.”
Gui Linghuo stared at the steaming bowl and slowly shook his head. “No, you…you don’t have to apologize.”
Su Wen carefully set the bowl down and helped Gui Linghuo back into the bed. “With the peak lords’ permission, I called for Lord Yang, but he wasn’t available, so his shizun came instead.”
Su Wen gave the bowl to Qin Siyi, who rushed to feed Gui Linghuo. He stood back awkwardly. “I know the situation is…unfortunate right now, but I promise that Huigu Palace is searching for him.”
Gui Linghuo stared blankly at the supplemental soup and turned away.
“That being said,” Su Wen said. “Lord Xun also said you should move to his abode as soon as possible.”
The three martial siblings looked up.
“Who is this Lord Xun and why is he trying to take away our da-shixiong?” Shan Yu snapped.
“He’s the person that my master had mentioned to Lord Ninglan before. Lord Ninglan might not have said anything since so many things had happened since then,” Su Wen said. “But rest assured! Lord Xun is very reliable. He was originally a Celestial, but he chose to live in the Human Realm. His springs are very effective. You’ll feel better in no time.”
Gui Linghuo frowned. He had many considerations. He didn’t want to leave before Gui Yin came back, but he also wanted to leave right now so that he could find Yankui.
He had slowly calmed back down after Qin Siyi had slapped him. He also knew he was being ridiculous right now.
Seeing Gui Linghuo’s hesitation, Su Wen smiled. He patted his shoulder. “We’ll find him. All you have to do is make sure you’re okay when your shizun and Young Master Yankui come back.”
He thought about it for a moment before looking at the three martial siblings. “Mm…do you three want to hear some good news?”
Gui Linghuo and the other two looked up.
“My master found him,” Su Wen said. His smile widened. “Lord Ninglan will be home very soon.”
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Gui Linghuo teasing Yankui about the marriage robes was ver cute
F-CK!!!!!! how about no one is anyone’s vessel!! did you consider that Void Saint sir (derogatory)!?!?!? AAAAAAAAAAAAA
wait does Centipede Dude put centipedes inside all his followers? wtf. i mean, good for him for being consistent??
THERE YOU ARE SU WEN- oh the springs? heck yea finally, let’s go- AH? AAAAAAAAAAAA!? Gui Yin coming home eeeeeeee (irl i made a pterodactyl screech and my poor cat jumped;;;;)
thx for read uwu
Gui Yin, you need to save your cubs (even though they are independent and amazing adults)! Centipede infestation the worst 🤢 Just the thought…blurgh…
centipedes are nasty– thanks for reading!!